Themba Gorimbo: Biography, Age, MMA, Wife

Themba Gorimbo (born 23 January 1991) is a Zimbabwean professional mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC Welterweight division. Fans know him by the nickname “The Mamba.” In 2023, he made history as the first Zimbabwean fighter to win a UFC bout.

Biography: Themba Gorimbo

Real Name: Themba Gorimbo

Known As: The Mamba/ The Answer

Place of Birth: Bikita, Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe

Date of Birth: 23 January 1991 (Age- 35)

Occupation: Professional Mixed Martial Artist

Champion: EFC Welterweight Champion in South Africa

Years Active: 2013 to present

Marital Status: Married

Children: 2

Nationality: Zimbabwean

Early Life and Hardship

Gorimbo was born in Bikita, Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe. He faced severe hardship from a young age after losing his mother at the age of nine and his father at 13.

At 16, he turned to illegal diamond mining in Marange during a devastating drought and period of hunger in Zimbabwe.

In 2008, Gorimbo nearly lost his life during a military crackdown on illegal miners. Police dogs attacked him during the operation, leaving him with permanent scars.

At 17, he fled to South Africa in search of a better life. Along the way, he survived a dangerous river crossing and was reportedly held hostage by smugglers. After arriving in South Africa, he worked as a gardener and security guard to survive. ^[1]

Mixed Martial Arts Career

Gorimbo discovered mixed martial arts at the age of 19 after watching the movie Never Back Down.

He turned professional in 2013 and steadily built his reputation in African MMA. In 2019, he became the EFC Welterweight Champion in South Africa.

Later, Gorimbo earned a contract with the UFC. In 2023, he revealed that he arrived in the United States with only $7.49 in his bank account. His story attracted global attention and inspired Dwayne Johnson, also known as “The Rock,” to gift him a house in Miami. ^[2]

As of May 2026, Gorimbo holds a professional MMA record of 14 wins and 7 losses. Recently, he suffered a split-decision defeat against Jonathan Micallef at a UFC event in Perth. ^[3]

Philanthropy and Controversies

Gorimbo has earned praise for his generosity and community work. At one point, he sold his fight gear to help fund a water pump for his home village in Zimbabwe. ^[4]

However, in 2026, he publicly revealed that he had cut ties with several relatives in Zimbabwe. According to Gorimbo, some family members celebrated his defeats and only became interested in him after his success.

He also stated that he no longer wished to be associated with Zimbabwe because of the emotional pain linked to those experiences. ^[5]

Personal Life

Gorimbo has been married for more than nine years and is a father of two daughters. His family currently lives in Miami in the house gifted by Dwayne Johnson in 2023.

He often describes his wife as the “anchor” of his career and regularly credits her for supporting him throughout his journey from poverty to the UFC. She also relocated from South Africa to the United States with their children to support his MMA career.

Although Gorimbo remains devoted to his wife and children, he announced in 2026 that he had ended communication with members of his extended family in Zimbabwe because of what he described as a lack of support during his struggles and entitlement after his success. ^[6]